156 THE GARDENER. [April 



It was this circumstance which first led me to doubt the propriety of 

 a very high night temperature for the Vine in the first stages of growth. 

 I was a believer in high and dry temperatures once. 



In conclusion, let me say a word about the mean temperatures of 

 Beyrout, Cadiz, and Catania, which " D. J." says are, according to the 

 late Mr Thompson of Chiswick, "respectively 69°, 63°, and 71°, while 

 Vines are in flower." I presume, " D. J." is quoting from ' The Gar- 

 dener's Assistant,' by Mr Thompson. If he is, he might have quoted 

 his author fairly, and told us that these were the mean temperatures 

 of the month of May (Mr Thompson says nothing about the Vines being 

 in flower), — the mean temperatures of the month be it noted ; and as 

 they are not very high, the daily and monthly range must have been 

 considerable — i.e., much above and below these figures. To give an 

 example, the mean temperature of the month of ^larch in the south 

 of Scotland is about 40°, but what is the range 1 Why, we read that 

 the maximum for March 1871 was 68°. 9, and the minimum 3°. 6, or 

 29° of frost, and yet the mean temperature was above the average of 

 the month. The mean temperature of the month of May is 50°, but 

 the maximum for that month in the same year is recorded at 80°, and 

 the minimum at 18°, or 14° of frost. These facts show abundantly 

 how practically valueless are mean temperatures for conveying a just 

 idea of climate. It is worth noting also, that the month of May in 

 1871 was characterised by an unusual amount of sunshine, or clear 

 weather ; and the consequence was, the mean temperature of the nights 

 was heloiv the average, and that of the days above the average, thus 

 showing that extremes meet, as I have pointed out in regard to some 

 Continental countries. 



Mr Thompson's tables of temperature are valuable, I admit ; but his 

 deductions with regard to treatment, under altered circumstances in 

 this country, are not always applicable. For instance, he recommends 

 as the lowest safe winter temperature for Pines a mean just 10° higher 

 than the Editor of this paper does in his book on the Pine-Apple, and 

 Mr Thomson's practice is that of all successful Pine-growers nowa- 

 days; but I shall conclude, and by way of encouraging " D. J." to do 

 likewise, I subscribe myself fully, J. Simpson. 



WORTLEY. 



NOTES ON HARDY CONIFERS. 



THUJOPSis (the broad-leaved arborvit^s). 

 This new, and as far as is yet known small, genus, is so named from 

 the resemblance of the species of which it is composed, both in habit 

 of growth and general appearance, to their near allies the American 



